March 6, 2017 Travel Ban vs. January 27, 2017 Travel Ban
What is the difference between today’s travel ban and the previous one that was signed on January 27, 2017?
1 – Today’s executive order goes into effect on March 16, 2017. It also supersedes the previous order from 1/27. The 1/27 order is now revoked.
2 – Today’s order applies to citizens of 6 out of the 7 original countries listed in the 1/27 order. Those who will be affected are from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
(a) Citizens of Iraq will NOT be affected by today’s order.
(b) Citizens of the 6 listed countries will not be issued new visas or visa renewals for 90 days, starting 3/16. Any visas that have already been issued as of 3/16 will remain in effect.
(c) There is no longer an indefinite ban on all Syrian citizens.
(d) There is no longer a suspension on petitions or applications for U.S. immigration benefits from the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service.
3 – Pursuant to today’s order, the refugee program will be suspended for 120 days, starting 3/16. The refugee program will also reduce the number of refugees accepted in a given year down to 50,000 from the 110,000 cap that was previously set by the Obama administration.
4 – Today’s order provides explicit exceptions for legal permanent residents, dual nationals who may have citizenship of one of the 6 listed countries but will use a passport from another country, and those who have been granted asylum or refugee status. There is no longer an exception for religious minorities from the 6 listed countries.
5 – Today’s order allows for case-by-case consideration of waivers to the order for those that were previously allowed entry into the U.S. for work, study, or other long-term activities, those with significant business or professional obligations in the U.S., and those seeking to visit or live with family.
We are monitoring this situation very closely as the Trump administration’s new travel ban will be challenged in court. We believe that the United States has a responsibility to continue and expand its refugee program and to issue visas equally to all applicants without regard to nationality or religious affiliation. Please contact Abbas Law PLLC if you have additional questions or concerns regarding your U.S. immigration status and/or petitions for U.S. immigration benefits.
